Learn All About Video Making With These Free Blog Posts

Nothing creates a mood quite like burning candles.
Candles are unique, colorful room decorations that smell heavenly even when not burning.
I love them so much I surround myself with decorative candles.
One reason I have so many is because making candles in my kitchen is one of my … Continue Reading »

FIREFIGHTERS HELP US ALL!
Government workers like firefighters, cops and teachers are under attack these days.
Although I understand some of the frustrations, I think it is a HUGE mistake to vilify these groups as some on the right are doing.
It would also be a huge mistake to privatize … Continue Reading »

For a while now the future of marketing has been steering towards the potential hidden in video, and it seems like that day for it to be revealed has arrived.
Businesses all over the globe are adopting video as part of their overall marketing strategy, a trend that is still progressing … Continue Reading »

Vlogging, which is blogging using videos as your content, first became popular around 2005. Thirteen years later, its popularity is still skyrocketing which really isn’t surprising since Vlogging is effective in reaching the target audience, much simpler to understand, and more entertaining than … Continue Reading »

360-degree panoramic style photography is quite popular. It's obviously incredible for gorgeous landscapes like this sunset but there are many practical uses too, such as virtual tours in real estate.
Panoramas contain so many details they can really make you feel like you are in another world. … Continue Reading »

This video is simply breathtaking. Gorgeous scenery combined with soaring, silky-smooth video shots give viewers an exhilarating experience usually reserved for eagles.
The secret is using a drone to carry the camera to places a person with a tripod could never reach in a million years.
Making … Continue Reading »

Okay, so you have a short film that you have made.
Congratulations!!!
This is a huge step that you have taken. You are either incredibly excited or completely exhausted. Probably a little of both! So what do you do now?
You have a film that you are incredibly proud of and you want to get it … Continue Reading »

In today's post, guest author John Montana discusses his recent short film, Hungry. It has been accepted into 24 film festivals all over the world.
In the post, John speaks about the importance of the soundtrack, how it influences the mood of the film and the perceptions of the viewer. He also … Continue Reading »

This is a video titled, "4 Critical Planning Questions" produced by small business owner Denise O'Berry. Denise has successfully used YouTube videos to attract clients and traffic to her website.
A complete novice when she began producing videos, Denise knew the power of online video was too … Continue Reading »

Have you ever told a friend a funny story, only to have them parrot it back to you a few days later? Even when we forget the precise details and where we heard it, a good story stays with us.
Most marketers have begun shifting away from data heavy advertising messages to focus instead on … Continue Reading »

Trailer for documentary film about Google, "Don't Be Evil, The Documentary."
Production is underway for a documentary film about the business practices of Google. As you can tell from the title alone, and certainly from the teaser, this documentary is not going to be friendly toward Google. The … Continue Reading »

Once your video is finished, deciding where and how you are going to host it online presents a whole slew of options.
What you choose will have a major impact on your video's performance and functionality. It will affect how many people are likely to see your video and how it looks to them. It … Continue Reading »

One of the best ways for a filmmaker to get their work seen is to enter film festivals. No doubt you've heard of the big film festivals like the Sundance or Cannes, but what if you're just starting out and want something smaller, less competitive or more local?
Never fear, there are well over a … Continue Reading »

"What kind of video camera should I use to get the best image?" is one of the most frequent questions I hear.
There are hundreds of video cameras on the market, or perhaps I should say hundreds of devices that shoot video since all of them are not actually cameras. Sometimes trying to choose … Continue Reading »

Split screen is a technique that essentially adds two shots together to make one. This special effect is often used in order to have one actor play two parts.
As you can see in the adjacent picture, the same actor is playing two characters, one is supposed to be him from a future time. He is … Continue Reading »

What does it take to win the 48 Hour Film Project?
Take a look at the video on this page to find out. It won:
BEST DRAMA,
BEST EDITING,
BEST OPENING SEQUENCE,
1st runner up SOUND EDITING,
& 1st runner up ART DIRECTION
This video was one of 41 entries in the 48 Hour Film … Continue Reading »

If you are serious about video editing and want to learn from a high level professional, then check out the Cutting Edge Post Production Tour Workshop now traveling across the country.
You can sign up for a workshop in your city or to get the HD downloads.
If you want to learn how to edit … Continue Reading »

If you're a fan of smooth, floating video shots from unique angels (often a bird's eye view), then no doubt you will love the style of video you can make using a video camera attached to a drone.
This video above was created by Dale Parrish, a retired firefighter living in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dale … Continue Reading »

VPT blog reader creates successful educational video series
If you'd like an excellent example of using online video to advance your career and grow your business, look no further than Hector Velazquez.
Hector is a mechanic and works as the golf course equipment manager at the Walnut Creek … Continue Reading »

Do you have the Great American Screenplay inside you, itching to come out?
Maybe the next big film sensation is currently an idea floating around in your head.
Do you want to share your screenplay with the world, and maybe win a cash prize by doing so?
If so, then here is a competition … Continue Reading »

All of us who love making videos can celebrate the dedication and success of the De Rousseau brothers who have produced three full length, independent action films with little to no budget. A while back, we published a post about their movie making experiences.
Now they have added a documentary … Continue Reading »

When you're trying to learn how to make your own videos, it's an excellent idea to study both well-done and poorly-done videos. This post covers what I consider to be a poorly done video made by a newspaper. Click on the image below to open up the video on the newspaper's site.
A … Continue Reading »

Funny animal videos are one of the mainstays of YouTube. Enduringly popular, cute critters acting silly on video will never cease to amaze people and attract positive attention.
Animals create such popular videos that it became a cliche in the entertainment business that you never wanted to … Continue Reading »

Everyone loves a good story. But how essential is a story in your video?
From the time we’re kids to the twilight of our lives, something in the human soul is drawn and attracted to the telling of a story and an emotional journey. It creates sympathy and a connection between people, and has long … Continue Reading »

Everybody loves a good story. Research has shown that memorable storytelling is one of the key factors with a video's likability. Face it, with so many choices online, your video will probably only be watched if people really want to watch it.
When people first begin learning how to make video, … Continue Reading »

Interviews with people are probably the single most common element in video storytelling.
Learning to create awesome talking head shots is a critical skill for videographers to develop.
The best video interviews should actually be called video portraits if you ask me.
A well done talking … Continue Reading »

Mounting a video camera to the front of a car produces an awesome traveling shot that helps raise the quality of your video production.
Viewers are always impressed with shots that give them an unusual perspective or angle. Since most of use don't watch Jackass and follow suit, life as viewed from … Continue Reading »

A Microphone Guide: How To Select The Best Video Microphones
For anyone who is considering making a film or video, it's important to consider how you're going to capture the audio if you want your work to come across as anything other than amateur.
Whether you want to make the next Blair … Continue Reading »

Easy and Gorgeous Video Special Effects
There is a link at the bottom of the post to some FREE downloadable Light Leaks.
Our goal on the VPT blog is to assist all videomakers with easy-to-use tips for enhancing the quality of their productions.
Today's awesome post is from a guest author, … Continue Reading »

Video editing is probably the single most powerful skill to perfect if you want to tell a good story with video.
Compared to all the other tasks needed to make a professional-quality video and using all the techniques available to the filmmaker, editing is where much of the magic happens. It's … Continue Reading »

This one goes into the "too cool for words" category. Nonetheless, I shall try to come up with some words to tell you about the incredible free online teleprompter I just discovered.
It's called Cue Prompter and it is not only free, it's extremely easy to use and has all the basic features you'll … Continue Reading »

If you're looking for people to collaborate with on a video project, then do yourself a favor and check out Spidvid.
Spidvid is a website created by Jeremy Campbell with the goal of developing a thriving community of videomakers who can work together on projects. The site is several years old … Continue Reading »

Creating And Producing a Quality Film
I am pleased to present this guest post from Paul Banks, Creative Director at Digifish, a video production company based in York, England.
Paul put this post together with his best tips for ensuring that you produce quality videos for clients. (Or … Continue Reading »

Brooks & Shae - Dickson, TN from Josh Bennett on Vimeo.
How To Videotape Weddings
TELLY AWARD WINNING WEDDING VIDEO
I am thrilled to be able to present to you this national award winning wedding video produced by a former student of mine, Josh Bennett.
No wonder this video won a … Continue Reading »

Online Business Video Marketing
Have you ever read a sales letter for a video marketing product that makes video marketing sound like a foolproof magic bullet destined to bring you untold riches?
I sure have.
Even if I count all the less astronomical claims, video marketing is indeed … Continue Reading »

If you're using an HDSLR camera to shoot video, this post will provide you with step-by-step instructions for building a stabilization frame to hold accessories.
Probably any small camera could be outfitted with a similar rig, really but this particular DIY accessory frame was built by a reader … Continue Reading »

The Canon Vixia HV40.
Different strokes for different folks. :)
The Canon line of Vixia camcorders features a lot of variety and innovation. As a longtime lover of video cameras, I've always respected Canon products and the Vixia HV40 has a lot to offer for the right person. Canon promotes … Continue Reading »

How To Use Green Screen Video Effects In Video Production
Green Screen is a remarkably common video production technique that enhances most every movie and television show you watch.
Next time you plop down in your favorite easy chair to stare at the tube, pay close attention to backgrounds, … Continue Reading »

Top-of-the-line, consumer grade video camcorder the Vixia, HF G10 packs plenty of professional features into a 1.2 lb camera.
Now THIS is a nice video camera. :)
If you're looking for a small, lightweight video camera that packs a lot of professional features and capacity into a camcorder … Continue Reading »

The Canon Vixia HF M500 is truly an awesome video camcorder with an amazing amount of features for the style and price.
If you're looking for a low budget, economical camcorder that records on memory cards and not only gets a sharp, clear image, but allows you to choose between two popular … Continue Reading »

Canon Vixia Video Camcorders Review
Canon sells their line of consumer-grade camcorders under the Vixia model name. Vixia camcorders range in price from $279 to $1,189.
The Canon Vixia line has been extremely popular over the years, for good reasons. They are high functioning, yet easy-to-use … Continue Reading »

Here is the trailer, edited by Daniel Derousseau, for a documentary about the love of independent film making: "Indie Film, (A Love Story).
FILM AND VIDEO MAKERS UNITE :)
One of the greatest joys I get from operating this video making blog is that I hear from lots of other people who enjoy … Continue Reading »

Easy Video Suite (EVS) is the updated version of Easy Video Player, (EVP) a system developed by Josh Bartlett to record, edit, publish, upload, host, play and market with video online.
Easy Video Suite launches this week. (Written Jan 14, 2013.)
Is it worth the hype you've no doubt been … Continue Reading »

What's it like to work as a TV News photographer?
This 7:11 video boils down the "highlights" of one man's lengthy career using a video camera and microphone to document the local happenings for Tennessee television stations. His name is Newt Danley and he is a longtime friend of mine. We worked … Continue Reading »

How To Make A Fundraising Video
Since the advent of television, video has been used repeatedly as a successful fundraising tool. Think of events like the Jerry Lewis Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy, as well as everyday local commercials for the car dealer on Main Street, and you can get a grasp of … Continue Reading »

This post was originally published on September 14, 21012, shortly after the deadly attack on the United States consulate on Benghazi.
Given that so much has happened on this issue since, I am updating this post in March of 2014, nearly two years later.
The attack in Benghazi was a terrible … Continue Reading »

While watching both political conventions on TV lately, in addition to my intense political views, I contemplate the zillion and one details necessary to stage and broadcast an event like that live on television.
It's the dedicated TV Production crew in me who can't resist mapping it all out in … Continue Reading »